What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple chemical sensitivity, also known as MCS, is defined as “an acquired disorder characterized by
recurrent symptoms referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in
response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated
compounds at doses far below those established in the general
population to cause harmful effects. …(1) or “Sensitivity to
chemicals. By sensitivity we mean symptoms or signs as related to
chemical exposures at levels tolerated by the population at large, that
is distinct from such well recognized hypersensitivity phenomenon as
IgG-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions, contact dermatitis
and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Sensitivity may be expressed as
symptoms and sign in one or more organ systems. Symptoms and
signs wax and wane with exposure. (2)

So what does this mean in lay terms? Well basically it means that
growing numbers of people, myself included, are beginning to develop
serious health problems from exposures to the common everyday chemicals
we find in our environment. These chemicals can be items such as
scented laundry soap or fabric softener, treated fabric, perfume,
cologne, disinfectants, pesticides, herbicides, household cleansers,
cigarette smoke, car exhaust, gas heat or other petroleum products, air
fresheners, bleach, shampoos, toothpaste, food supply, new carpet,
remodeling materials, wood smoke or cosmetics to name a few.

The symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivity are vast and numerous and
usually effect many organ systems. Enzyme pathways may be
inhibited and liver detoxification pathways become overloaded. The
blood brain barrier is affected (3) and neurological, immunological,
respiratory, endocrine, cardiovascular, genitourinary and
gastrointestinal systems are likely to be affected with the central
nervous system almost always being affected. (4)

Individuals affected with multiple chemical sensitivity are forced to
make profound changes in lifestyle and diet and endure multiple losses
in life as they knew it, including their livelihood, identity, friends
and sometimes even family members. Most of those afflicted are no
longer able to be in environments that contain the above listed
chemicals, which are found almost everywhere. Therefore, this
means that most public places are off limits to them, their social life
becomes extremely limited and there are very few places if any that
they are capable of obtaining employment. It becomes increasingly
difficult to function in this chemicalized world at all.

The prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivity in the population
may be as high as 15% at this time, (4) and yet there is incredible
backlash from the medical and chemical communities who try to deny and
discredit the existence of this devastating illness, because to
acknowledge it would mean that global change would have to take place.

Dr. Rea, the leading medical specialist in Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity, calls it an environmentally triggered disease and explains
that it may be acquired either by a one time acute exposure or from
low-level long-term exposures. As well as being chemically
sensitive himself, Dr. Rea treats individuals with multiple chemical
sensitivity in his clinic in Dallas, Texas. He points out that in
1987 the American industry poured 22 billion pounds of toxic chemicals
into the air, food and water. He adds further that the well being
of man is a function of his environment; living in polluted
surroundings adversely affects our health, and as the number of
dangerous environmental pollutants continues to increase so do the
numbers of people sensitive to these contaminants. (3)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity is an acquired chronic syndrome described as a
severe toxic allergic like reaction to extremely low levels of
chemicals in our environment. It has developed over the past four
decades and is caused by overexposure to some 100,000 new, more toxic
synthetic chemicals. Research contends that a victim’s body
becomes unable to cleanse its tissues of chemicals to which it is
exposed, either in small doses over time or from a single tremendous
dose. (5)

It really should come as no surprise to us that this phenomenon is
occurring, as our bodies are made of the same ingredients as our earth
and the toxicity of our environment has been evident for a long time in
our declining and deformed wildlife. Rachel Carson in her
groundbreaking book Silent Spring first warned us of this over 35 years
ago (6) and although we have been somewhat successful at raising some
awareness of the consequences that our chemicalized society is having
on our environment and wildlife, we have been leaving out a very
important piece of the puzzle.

We are not pointing out that these toxins are not only poisoning
nature, but our own bodies as well. We are not immune to
the destruction the environment is enduring. Wildlife is smaller
and more vulnerable as they are exposed to the elements continuously
and the deadly symptoms appeared in them first, and now we are
beginning to see the same in human beings. The animals have tried
to warn us, but we have not heard them. They cannot speak our
language, but they have been warning us very loudly in their own
language.

Another profound cutting edge book "Our Stolen Future" which has not
received the attention it deserves written by two leading environmental
scientists and an award winning environmental journalist give a
staggering account of the messages our wildlife has been giving us and
provide overwhelming evidence that synthetic chemicals are endocrine
disruptors and they are not only upsetting normal reproductive and
developmental processes, decreasing sperm count, increasing hormone
related cancers, endometriosis, birth defects, sexual abnormalities,
but are also threatening are actual survival.(7) Their
conclusions are startling and terrifying and should serve as a wake up
call to all individuals.

Cindy Duehring, a sufferer of multiple chemical sensitivity deceased at
the age of 36, after a long struggle with multiple chemical sensitivity
complications, was a leading researcher and writer at Environmental
Access Research and took this quote from Environmental Neurotoxicity in
an article titled, “Screening for Nervous System Damage from Chemical
Exposure” “it was a most dangerous illusion that our
society has brought forth, in the false belief, that the chemical
ingredients in our everyday home and office consumer products, from
cosmetics and perfumes to cleaners and carpets, have been tested for
health effects to protect the public. Most of the chemicals have
never tested and are not under any regulation. There are three
new chemical compounds introduced in the United States every day.
Pre-marketing testing of compounds as potential neurotoxicants have
serious deficiencies. Many of these neurotoxic compounds came
into use before the passage of the Toxic Substance Control Act in 1976
and remain untested and are still not required to be tested." (8)

As the very wise Chief Seattle said to his people in a tribal assembly
in the Pacific Northwest in 1854 “We are part of the Earth and it is
part of us. We know the white people do not understand our
ways. Our portion of land is the same to them as the next, for
they are strangers who come in the night and take from the land
whatever they need. This we know. The Earth does not belong
to humans; humans belong to the Earth. All things are connected
like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the
Earth befalls the children of the Earth. Humans do not weave the
web of life; they are merely a strand in it. Whatever they do to
the web, they do to themselves.” In conclusion he added, “When
the thicket and the eagle, the swift pony and the hunt are gone from
the land, it will mark the end of living and the beginning of
survival." (4) This could not be more true and is evidenced very
profoundly in multiple chemical sensitivity.

As a whole we are not hearing the warnings that the wildlife is giving
us. Hopefully we don’t all have to become poisoned before we
listen and learn. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is only the tip
of the iceberg and if society does not begin to hear the messages of
the earth, then someday we will see human beings on the endangered
species list.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Treatment

Many people have multiple chemical sensitivities, but are not aware of it,
because the average medical doctor is not trained in this area. They will
typically tell you that your symptoms are the result of stress or depression or
may even call you a hypochondriac. To find a doctor who can make a diagnosis of
chemical sensitivity, you need to see a doctor of environmental medicine that
can be found at the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. Some physicians who practice Functional Medicine are knowledgeable and capable on this topic as well.

Once the body begins to break down from environmental toxins and chemical sensitivities develop, it is very difficult to
make a complete recovery. The main method of treatment consists of avoiding chemicals, which means the life of the individual is profoundly altered, permanently. So prevention is the best medicine.

The best step you can take to protect yourself from developing multiple chemical sensitivities is to adopt a green lifestyle. Environmental toxins are at the root of MCS, so therefore they must be eliminated. This means at a minimum you should be using environmentally friendly and natural personal and health care products, cleaning supplies and yard care. No pesticides, herbicides, air fresheners, perfume or cologne and eat an organic diet as much as possible. The construction of your home should be made as non-toxic and green as possible, mold should be avoided and all dental procedures should be done by a biologic dentist.

However, MCS is two pronged. On one hand the environmental toxins you are exposed to must be reduced, but on the other hand is how capable your body is of detoxing these chemicals. A variety of treatment modalities have been found to be helpful in improving the level of sensitivity and promoting some degree of healing in some individuals by improving the detoxification system.

Most chemically sensitive people have an abundance of nutritional deficiencies, and these deficiencies lead to a detoxification system that does not function properly, which together results in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Addressing nutritional deficiencies as quickly as possible is of the utmost importance. The longer deficiencies are present the harder they are to correct, the less effective the detoxification system is and the more damage that is done to the body. As sensitivities begin to snowball, the individual often becomes sensitive to the nutrients needed to correct their biochemistry, which leaves them in a catch 22 situation.

Some tests that every MCS person should have include: the Organic Acids Test, RBC Mineral, Amino Acid Plasma, Hair Analysis, GI Effects and Fatty Acid Profile. You can learn more about these tests by visiting my Functional Medicine Page. These tests will tell you which nutrients you are deficient, which systems aren't functioning properly and how capable you are of detoxing chemicals. Then nutrients can be used to correct or improve the issue.

Another vital test for the chemically sensitive individual is called Detoxigenomics. This test can tell you if you have any genetic problems that are impairing your detoxification capabilities and steps that can be taken to improve them.

The ALCAT test is a simple test kit that can be sent to your home and test you for 10 of the most common chemicals in the environment, as well as sensitivity to mold, foods and food additives, which typically accompany MCS.

Most people with MCS have candida overgrowth and the toxins that candida emits overloads the liver and adds to or causes sensitivity to chemicals. Significant improvements in sensitivity levels can often be found by addressing candida with the candida diet, antifungals etc.

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is always a primary component of MCS, and any steps that help restore balance to the autonomic nervous system are helpful for many, such as mindfulness, mindfulness based meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, and nutritional support to correct deficiencies. Some new treatments on the horizon that target the autonomic nervous and have been exceptionally helpful for some include Amygdala RetrainingTM and Dynamic Neural Retraining.TM However, it's important to note that MCS is a complex, multi-faceted condition and the autonomic nervous system is only one system involved.

It's crucial that you read how toxins make you sick, to understand the complex process that takes place in your body and all the steps needed for recovery.

The degree of healing that one can acquire depends on many things: How competent your health care provider is and whether they guide you to the most appropriate tests and treatment methods. How much money you have to spend on tests and treatment. The level of damage that has been done to your body by chemicals. How long you've been dealing with the situation. Your nutritional status and how long you've been nutrient depleted. The types of toxins and level of toxins you've been exposed to. Whether you have the money and ability to acquire safe housing. For many, who lack resources, MCS is a progressive condition when these underlying issues cannot be addressed.

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